Apple Computer Reduces Prices

Apple Computer Inc., trying to reduce its swollen inventories, on Monday cut prices of its consumeroriented Macintosh Performa machines by up to 12 percent.

The company also announced rebates for customers who buy computer, monitor and printer packages.

Apple’s price cuts came three days after it replaced chief executive officer Michael Spindler with National Semiconductor CEO Gil Amelio. Amelio, known for his ability to turn around troubled companies, also replaced A.C. “Mike” Markkula as chairman.

Price reductions, which follow deeper ones in December, range $100 to $300, or 5 to 12 percent. The deepest percentage cut was to the Performa 6116CD.